The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-07-06
TnE NEW CONSTITUTION
Adopted by the knights OF Labor-somc of Its
Eentures.

PHILADELPHIA, June 2S.-By returns
made to the general headquarters of the
knights of Labor this morning, the new
constitution of the order, embodying many
important changes, has been adopted by
about a thrce-fourths vote. A clause pro.
vidiug for the formation of national trade
assemblies, sent out separately from the
constitution and voted upon by the local
assemblies throughout the order, has also
been adopted by nearly the same vote. The
new constitution will be promulgated by
the general executive board in n very few
days and will go into effect immediately
after lis prOmulgatiOn.
An analysis of the vote shows that nearly
one half OF the local assemblies that opposed
the adoption of the new constitution did Sc
on account of section 325, which reads:
NO local or other assembly or member
shall, directly or indirectly. give, sell OF
have any ale, beer, or intoxicating liquors
OF any kind al any meeting, party, SOciablc,
ball, picnic or entertainment, whatever APP
pertaining to the order. Any member
found guilty of violating this law shall be
suspended not less than six months or eX
PEELED. No fine shall be imposed for this
offensc. Any local or other assembly 50
Offending shall be suspended during the
pleasure of the general executive board, or
Shall have its charter revoked by said
~
board"
Nearly every assembly composed solely
of Germans voted against this clause, and
therefore against the Whole.
The article on &C. operation was adopted
unanimously. 1t is quite lengthy, and
provides for the creation and disbursement
Of Il fund to aid cooperative enterprises,
Each local assembly is required to collect
and deposit Il sum not less than two cent
| MOI. lNlhth for nN..rN ,,ppNhnr in npnl Sinnl
ing. Ihc money is to be invested by the
cooperative board, and the profits arc tC
be divided equally between the general as
sembly, the cooperative fund and Tho
workmCn who create the profit.
The new constitution gives the genera
executive board full power 10 settle q!
strikes and disputes, whether sanctioned
by the board or not, and it increases til,
powers OF the general board i'll many 0thc,
particulars. Hereafter each district, state
n%atiOrHl or unattached local assembly, shall
be cuJitlcd to one delegate to each 300
members. The term of Office, over whicl
there has been so much controversy, hu
been fixed at two years. Compensation
hereafter will be fixed 10y The general as
SCmbiy when an officer is elected. Tn
national trade assembly clause is prObabl,
the most Important Of the changes. II pro
vidGs that:
Any particular trade or calling may
form Il national trade assembly by giving
ut least three months notice to each lOca
assembly, the culirc membership OF whicl
is composed Of such trade, to attend Il con
vcntion for the purpose of forming Il nl
tional trade assembly,
At least twO.thirds OF the local assemble
must vote III favor of the trade assembly
and not less than ten assemblies. if there b.
that nGmbpr in the order may rprpivp
charter. Section three of the article is no
very Strong, however, as it still leaves tn,
matter in the hands of the general cXccu
tive board, which, if the law has been con-
Piled with, may instruct the general sccrl
tary to issue Il charter. Votes will be re
ceivCd until July 18th and recorded
although the new constitution will be il
effect some time before that, probubl
about July LIST.